It’s Friday, time to look back over the blessings of the week with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story and other friends. Here are some favorite parts of the last week:
1. Meeting with hospice. I mentioned earlier this week that we had met with a hospice provider for Jim’s mom just to see what services they provided. Previously we thought you didn’t call them in until death was imminent, and Jim’s mom is in good health except for losing her ability to move, so she might live years yet. But they offer nursing and a number of other services that will be helpful in her final years. We’re especially thankful that we have access to a nurse that will come to the house and that they’ll call in her prescriptions so we don’t have to bundle her up and take her to the doctor’s office or call his office multiple times to get refills taken care of. It’s been a whirlwind this week with all the people they have (nurse, bath aide, social worker, chaplain) coming to visit, but hopefully things will settle down into a routine soon. Plus Medicare pays for it and even pays for some things that we had been paying for out of pocket, so that should help her funds last a little longer.
2. Lettuce. Our neighbor brought by some lettuce and kale from his garden. I think the two varieties of lettuce were romaine and buttercrunch. So we’ve been having salads all week with dinner. I was impressed that Jesse said he actually liked these salads, where before he had just tolerated them. I don’t know if it is due to these different varieties or due to the freshness – probably both. I’ve never had kale before and have tried to make kale chips, but they haven’t turned out well so far (overcooked and overseasoned the first time, though I followed a recipe online). If you have any good kale recipes, let me know! I haven’t tried it in a salad – it seems a little strong for that.
3. Lactose-free ice cream. I’ve been lactose-intolerant for about 17 years. (I’ve never quite understood why you can eat or use something all your life and then suddenly develop problems, but around the same time I developed a lactose intolerance and allergies to penicillin and sulfa). I take Lactaid tablets with some dairy foods, but ice cream and straight milk always caused the worst reactions, so I have avoided them even with Lactaid. But a few days ago I discovered a lactose-free ice cream:
It’s good, but I’ve found I don’t really crave it like I thought I might after so long. it’s nice to have the option now anyway.
4. Reminiscing about Elisabeth Elliot. After reading that Elisabeth Elliot passed away this week, a lot of posts have popped up about her life and influence. One of my favorites was Do the next thing, one of her sayings. Her influence on me was very similar to this author’s.
5. More reading time. We don’t follow all that many TV shows, but most of them are off for the summer, so I’ve had more time to read in the evenings.
And a bonus: I posted this Sunday but wanted to again here. This is actually one of my daughter-in-law’s photos from several weeks ago and is one of my favorites. Love his smile!
Hope you’ve had a good week as well!
Stray Thoughts 
Mom visited last week and brought lettuce and kale from her garden. I love fresh, too, although it’s a challenge to wash it thoroughly (lots of sand mixed in). And like you, I keep wondering what to do with the kale. As you said, it’s a bit too strong (and in my case bitter) for a salad. LOVE that photo too! Such a cute smile.
I’m glad that hospice is in with your mother in law. They will be a lot of help. I never thought I’d like kale but I love ti steamed and seasoned with just a pinch of salt and pepper. What a cute grand son!! He looks like he is a delight!
“DO THE NEXT THING” was one of my favorite quotes by Elizabeth Elliot. I have used it over and over when circumstances had me standing still or in shock. I remembered that God was not surprised by any of my circumstances and so Do the next thing, would get me going and trusting the Lord. She was right, there was something comforting about routine and doing the normal tasks.
That’s the same here with old people. The health care prefers that people stay home and get everything they need, it’s still cheaper than a retirement home !
Your grandson is a cutie !
What a cutie-pie in the great whale box. I will say a prayer for Jim’s mother. Kale is nice steamed on the stove and then tossed about a bit in the pan with some garlic. I don’t think I would like kale chips no matter how they are made.
Barbara, thank you so much for sharing about Elisabeth Elliot’s passing. I did not realize that. She has had a great influence in my life and helping me to mature in the Christian faith. As a matter of fact, I am currently reading one of her books, :Be Still, My Soul”
I am so glad for your family that there are many services that hospice has to offer you. I know that has to be a huge relief to both you and your husband.
I’ve not tried this yet with kale, but because I tried it with another vegetable by drying it in the oven, I have decided to try using my dehydrator to make some kale chips. I’ll let you know if it was successful. 🙂
That little Timothy certainly is a happy little guy.
Have a great week ahead, Barbara.
I love Kale salads and with a poppy seed dressing it’s especially tasty. Thanks for sharing about the findings with hospice care. It’s probably different in Canada but at least when and if we reach that point with my own parents I will know to check into that at an earlier time. Elizabeth Elliot is so quotable and many of her sayings have encouraged me along my Christian walk. Timothy is absolutely adorable.
Those dimples on Timothy! He’s got a great smile and you can share those any time!
My roomie is developing an intolerance to lactose as well — I hear it can happen later in life and she does react strongly to milk and ice cream 😦 So nice to find products out there to help out.
I hear that massaging kale with olive oil helps to loosen the fibers in the leaves, making them easier to eat. I’ve just not been very fond of the stuff and put it chopped up small in cooked casseroles.
Oh, we grow lettuce in our garden and when we take the first bite from the first head we’re always amazed at the difference in taste between what you get at the supermarket and lettuce straight from the garden! It’s less bitter and more fresh! My favorite variety is Butterhead so that’s what I grow.
So glad you have some help through hospice. I didn’t know that they offered so many services. That sounds like will really help you guys out! Yay!
I just found out Elisabeth Elliot passed away – she was and will continue to be my role model!
Timothy’s picture is cute — look at that dimple!!!